Mentoring Programme Officer

Key Responsibilities

The Programme Officer will be employed by Foróige and will be given a fixed-term contract. It must be understood that if the position becomes redundant at any time during the contract period, if funding for the post is discontinued, or if the post holder fails to perform satisfactorily, employment may be terminated.

The duties of the Programme Officer, in carrying out any functions involved in or arising from the appointment, shall be as notified by the Organisation’s National Council and/or its Chief Executive from time to time.

These duties will include:

• Implementing and operating the Mentoring Programme locally in the Sligo/Galway regions.

• Recruiting volunteer mentors, assessing their suitability, and providing training, ongoing support, and recognition.

• Liaising and networking with key referral agencies to seek referrals of young people aged 10–18 to the programme, and conducting an intake process to assess the programme’s suitability to meet the needs of these young people.

• Setting up and supervising matches between young people and volunteer mentors, and providing support to young people, volunteer mentors, and parents/guardians as appropriate.

• Organising and facilitating group activities for matches.

• Implementing a case management approach to the role using the programme’s Salesforce system.

• Operating efficient office procedures in line with GDPR requirements and recording HR and financial data using Foróige’s HR and financial data processing systems.

• Attending team meetings and preparing written reports as required for Management and Funders.

• Carrying out any other duties deemed necessary by the National Council and/or the Chief Executive for the effective implementation of the policies and programmes of Foróige and the Mentoring Programme.

Professional Qualifications & Experience (D: Desirable; E: Essential)

• Education to National Diploma or Degree standard, preferably in Youth, Justice, or Health Promotion work (E).

• Access to a car and a full Irish driving licence (E).

• Relevant paid or voluntary experience working with young people (D).

• Experience and understanding of mentoring is an advantage (D).

• Experience using Salesforce or another case management system (D).

Person Specification (Essential)

• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with young people.

• Ability to be proactive, use initiative, and work effectively within a pressurised environment.

• Positive and flexible approach to working as part of a national team.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to draft summary information and correspondence.

• Good interpersonal skills, including the ability to liaise with a wide range of contacts and build and maintain effective working relationships.

• Excellent standards of accuracy and attention to detail.

• Ability to follow organisational guidelines and processes.

• Knowledge and experience of systems, processing, and administration, including the use of Google Workspace.

• Flexibility in relation to working hours to meet operational needs.

Benefits to Support You

Salary Foróige Youth Officer Salary Scale: €38,558, €40,163, €41,769, €43,376, €44,982, €46,592, €48,201, €50,601, €53,001.

The highest starting point for this role will be Point 3.

Annual Leave 29 days annual leave plus Good Friday.

EAP 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.

Pension Contributory pension benefits.

Additional Benefits

• Bike to Work Scheme.

• Commuter Travel Tax Saver Ticket.

• Training & Development: Structured onboarding together with a 9-day Foróige Induction Programme and ongoing CPD.

• Study Leave: Up to 5 days paid study leave per year of course.

• Organisation Culture: Support and supervision policies and practices that support your professional development.

• Progression Opportunities.

• Career Break: Up to 2 years after 3 years’ service.

• Unpaid Leave: Up to 6 months unpaid leave after 1 year of service.

• Flexible Work: Flexible work practices that support work-life balance.

• Maternity and Paternity Benefit: Top-up maternity and paternity benefit pay.

Other Information

Garda Vetting Candidates under consideration for employment with Foróige will be subject to Garda vetting.

Hours of Work You will be expected to work a minimum of 35 hours per week. The position requires flexibility in relation to working hours. It is expected that the successful candidate will work some evenings each week and occasional weekend work, based on the availability of volunteer mentors and young people/families.

Travel This post will involve domestic travel within Ireland and occasional meetings. Travel and expenses will be paid in accordance with appropriate Foróige rates.

Base The employment base for this post will be The CRIB Youth Project and Health Cafe.

The successful candidate will be eligible to apply for a hybrid working arrangement involving up to 3 days of remote working per week following 6 months of service and satisfactory completion of a probation period.